Flex

Adobe® Flash® Builder® 4.5

Build apps for multiple mobile platforms
Same code base, same toolset

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CONTENTS INCLUDE:
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Creating a Flex mobile project

Packaging a mobile project as a mobile app
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Testing mobile projects Testing anddebugging mobile

Build Apps for Android, iOS, and BlackBerry Tablet OS
By Mihai Corlan
o New wizards for creating Flex and PHP projects for desktop or mobile. o Integrated debugging for PHP and Flex.

Flex Mobile Development:

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projects

Adobe® Flash® Builder™ is an integrated development environment (IDE) based on the Eclipse platform. Available for Windows and Mac, it is used forcreating Flex and Flash applications accessible via a web browser with Flash Player or as standalone apps. Because it is based on the Eclipse platform (version 3.6.1), it can be installed as a standalone IDE or as a plug-in within another Eclipse installation. You can run this version along with previous versions (Flash Builder 4 or Flash Builder 3) without any problems. This version comes in twoflavors: standard or premium. Each flavor is also available as Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP, which has all the features of Flash Builder plus Zend Studio 8.1 and a number of plug-ins that integrate these two IDEs. Flash Builder Premium provides the following features in addition to those included with the standard version: • Network Monitor • Memory Profiler • HP QuickTest Professional and FlexUnitintegration • Command-line support for automated build processes • ColdFusion Builder (an Eclipse-based IDE for ColdFusion application developers) You can download Flash Builder 4.5 from here and Flash Builder 4.5 for PHP from here. Select the installer for the version you are interested in and for your operating system. The same installer can be used for installing the standalone version or theplug-in version. Each version offers a 60-day trial period. Every time you start the product during the trial period you will see a reminder that enables you to buy the product or enter the serial number if you’ve already bought it. To enable support for BlackBerry Tablet OS development you’ll have to download an Eclipse plug-in from RIM. Once installed in Flash Builder 4.5, this plug-in willenable a new platform target.

Flash Builder 4.5, Flex 4.5, and the screen metaphor
While it is possible to create mobile applications using pure ActionScript and Flash Builder 4.5, developing mobile apps using the Flex 4.5 framework, with its support for the screen metaphor, provides a substantial productivity boost.

There is almost always enough resolution and area on a desktop computer to fitall the information you want on the screen. By using hierarchical menus and pop-up windows you can fit even more content. Compared to this, a smartphone screen feels (almost) like a postage stamp. Besides screen size, pixel density plays an important role. The Nexus One, for example, has a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and 254 pixels per inch. This means that you have to enlarge the text roughlytwo to four times to make it appear similar to the app running on a desktop or laptop screen. Thus you end up with less space to display information.

Adobe® Flash® Builder® 4.5

Flex Mobile Development

What’s new in Flash Builder 4.5

Here is a high level view of what is new in this release: • Support for mobile development. Flex 4.5 version marks the extension of the Flex framework tomobile development. Flash Builder 4.5 includes several mobilespecific features, including new project types, desktop simulation and design view, and support for packaging projects as native installers for Android, iOS, and BlackBerry Tablet OS. • Improved productivity. Code templates, quick assist, code hinting for metadata, and an improved profiler. • Expanded PHP support. Flash Builder for...